An innovative, high-performance, non-noble-metal-based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) catalyst must be developed utilizing a new and cost-effective technique. ZrO₂ has the merits of high stability, low toxicity, good catalytic activity, and low enthalpy for atomic oxygen adsorption. However, the poor conductivity restricts its application as an ORR catalyst. Here, we successfully prepared ZrO₂ nanoparticles / nitrogen-rich two-dimensional carbon nanosheet composites as ORR catalysts using a straightforward, solvent-free, one-step pyrolysis approach. Due to the unique component and structure characteristics, ZrO₂@N-C-900 demonstrates remarkable ORR performances in alkaline electrolytes, such as high half-wave potential (0.82 V vs. RHE), higher current density (J_L = 6.4 mA cm⁻²), and outstanding long term stability (95 % for 36,000 s). Especially, when used in a Zn-air battery, ZrO₂@N-C-900 exhibited a power density of 148 mW cm⁻², exceeding that of 20 % Pt/C.

必须利用一种新的、具有成本效益的技术来开发一种创新、高性能、非贵金属基氧还原反应 (ORR) 催化剂。ZrO ₂具有稳定性高、毒性低、催化活性好、原子氧吸附热函低等优点。然而，较差的导电性限制了其作为ORR催化剂的应用。在这里，我们使用一种简单、无溶剂的一步热解方法成功制备了 ZrO _{2纳米颗粒/富氮二维碳纳米片复合材料作为 ORR 催化剂。}由于独特的成分和结构特点，ZrO ₂@NC-900 在碱性电解液中表现出卓越的 ORR 性能，例如高半波电位（0.82 V vs. RHE）、更高的电流密度（J _L  = 6.4 mA cm ⁻²）和出色的长期稳定性（95% 36,000 秒）。特别是，当用于锌空气电池时，ZrO ₂ @NC-900表现出148mW cm ^-2的功率密度，超过20％Pt/C的功率密度。